Going Back Along the Yellow Brick Road
In 1939, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released one of the most influential films ever, The Wizard of Oz. The movie tells the story of farmgirl Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she travels across the land of Oz. The film is famous for being the first prominent live-action film in full color, which was a huge step forward that laid the foundation for much of modern cinema. Nearly a century later, its influence can still be felt. With John Chu’s cinematic adaptation of Wicked coming next month, many film buffs are looking back to the classic film that inspired critics and audiences alike. Here is a breakdown of how the original film changed cinema forever.
L. Frank Baum’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’
In 1900, author L. Frank Baum published The Wizard of Oz, the story of a humble farm girl being whisked away by a tornado to the fantastical world of Oz. The book became an icon of 20th-century literature. Naturally, this gave the upcoming film a broad, pre-existing audience who would be eager to see the film. At the time, the production was one of the most expensive ever created, with a budget of $20 million in today’s money. The film was directed by Victor Fleming, who also made the equally iconic Gone With the Wind, released that same year.
The film also told a timeless story that still resonates with many. Whereas most films released during the same era aged horribly for various reasons, the same can’t be said for this film. The film is a fable led by an everygirl that most Americans could relate to in the grim post-depression economy. Joining her was a party of endearing characters who show how anyone can learn courage, be wise, and have a heart. The story’s simplicity made it easy to retell across generations, capturing the wonders of childhood and idealism. Furthermore, this was one of the first epic fantasy films to grace the big screen, premiering decades before The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. At the same time, Baum’s story was the first fairy tale to have decidedly American roots, as most other influential writers, such as the Brothers Grimm or Lewis Caroll, hailed from European cultures.
The Turbulent Production
As with any medium, film has continually advanced in scale and technology. From the silent vaudeville films of the 1920s to the realistic CGI of today’s blockbusters, advancing technology has always shaped the medium. One of the biggest was The Wizard of Oz, the first film to use technicolor that evolved beyond its contemporaries’ black-and-white palette. While the film could have rested on its laurels, it went above and beyond. For the time, its makeup, practical effects, and set designs elevated the film to a fantasy epic that still stands the test of time. This wondrous escapism likely appealed to many Americans during the post-depression pre-WW2 era.
The film also helped revolutionize the musical genre in film. While these productions existed for decades prior, The Wizard of Oz’s superb production values helped elevate it to another level. Songs such as “Over the Rainbow” and “The Witch is Dead” have become iconic. For as impressive as the film was, several infamous behind-the-scenes drama pieces reached daylight decades later. For example, much of the makeup used for characters like The Tin Man (Jack Haley) and the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton) was toxic and would never be allowed today. Furthermore, many of the pyrotechnics used were poorly made and got actors like Hamilton burned. Again, the film was a huge step forward for cinematic history and a reminder of the conditions of the early industry. The clear passion the on-screen actors put into their work should not be overlooked.
A ‘Wicked’ Legacy
While the film already cemented itself as a staple of cinematic history, it would inspire a massive legacy of successors. When it went to cable, the film found new audiences nationwide, becoming a milestone for cinema reaching the small screen. Long before physical media and streaming, it was big enough during the fifties to become a family event nationwide. Virtually any summary of film history will include a whole section on the production and influence of The Wizard of Oz. Upon release, the film was nominated for and won many accolades, including a nomination for Best Picture and a win for Best Music at the Academy Awards. Many of the film’s props, such as the ruby slippers, became relics of cinema, insured for millions of dollars in museums.
As a popular interpretation of a public domain work, the film inspired endless adaptations, including Disney’s sequel Return to Oz and the prequel Oz: The Great and Powerful. Many animated adaptations have also been made, such as the failed Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return and two Tom & Jerry films. Of course, one of the franchise’s most iconic successors was Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked. The book retold the backstory of the Wicked Witch—now named Elphaba—as a much more tragic character molded by the society around her. Years later, the book was adapted into the blockbuster Broadway play that became one of the most successful in history.
“And You Were There!”
The Wizard of Oz more than earned its place in film history nearly a century later. The cinematic gem was a huge step forward for cinema’s technological capabilities and spread a story that inspired generations of children. Despite this, viewers should remember how its cast and crew battled many struggles to bring it to life. Wicked coming to the silver screen symbolizes this legendary story coming full circle as the story returns to the screen just like its predecessor. The Wizard of Oz’s importance will continue to stand strong even a century after today.
Stream the original The Wizard of Oz on Hulu and Max today!
The Wizard of Oz (1939) Official Warner Bros. UK & Ireland Trailer
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Author
Kendra Dennis is a Pennsylvania-based creative and content writer. While her passion lies within the creative realm, Kendra enjoys any time she gets to write. Kendra graduated from American Public University System in June of 2025 with a BA in English. She enjoys writing stories that open up to a larger world where readers can get lost. You can find her daydreaming about her newest stories or reorganizing one of her many bookshelves.